While
in Denver, Colorado, as part of her nationwide listening tour, Secretary
Pritzker met with the heads of the Commerce Department’s local offices, including:
International Trade Administration’s U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC), the
Economic Development Administration (EDA), the National Institute for Standards
and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP), the Patent and
Trademark Office (PTO), the U.S. Census Bureau, the Inspector General (IG), and
the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). In addition to these meetings,
she also spoke to employees about their work and ways in which their efforts
are supporting economic growth and development in Colorado.

Today’s
discussion in Denver served as an extension of an employee town hall she held
yesterday in Boulder. The secretary emphasized how
their work is crucial to creating a better quality of life for Americans and
more opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses. She also asked employees
for their input in the department’s ongoing efforts to protect, promote, and
inform what America needs to be competitive and innovative in the 21st
century.

These employee engagement opportunities are part of the
secretary’s overall efforts to serve as a bridge to the business community so
that the public and private sectors can work together to create jobs and
opportunities for all Americans.